Writing for Success - Informationanthology.net

earning power, or just to learn something new. In time, you will define your long-term goals moreexplicitly. Doing solid, steady work, day by day and week by week, will help you meet those goals.E X E R C I S E 1In this exercise, make connections between short- and long-term goals.1. For this step, identify one long-term goal you would like to have achieved by the time you completeyour degree. For instance, you might want a particular job in your field or hope to graduate withhonors.2. Next, identify one semester goal that will help you fulfill the goal you set in step one. For instance,you may want to do well in a particular course or establish a connection with a professional in yourfield.3. Review the goal you determined in step two. Brainstorm a list of stepping stones that will help youmeet that goal, such as “doing well on my midterm and final exams” or “talking to Professor Gibsonabout doing an internship.” Write down everything you can think of that would help you meet thatsemester goal.4. Review your list. Choose two to three items, and for each item identify at least one concrete actionyou can take to accomplish it. These actions may be recurring (meeting with a study group each week)or one time only (calling the professor in charge of internships).5. Identify one action from step four that you can do today. Then do it.Using College ResourcesOne reason students sometimes find college overwhelming is that they do not know about, or arereluctant to use, the resources available to them. Some aspects of college will be challenging. However, ifyou try to handle every challenge alone, you may become frustrated and overwhelmed.Universities have resources in place to help students cope with challenges. Your student fees help pay forresources such as a health center or tutoring, so use these resources if you need them. The following aresome of the resources you might use if you find you need help:Your instructor. If you are making an honest effort but still struggling with a particular course,set up a time to meet with your instructor and discuss what you can do to improve. He or she may beable to shed light on a confusing concept or give you strategies to catch up.Saylor URL: http://www.saylor.org/booksSaylor.org36